Jeff Newman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jeff Newman put together a solid nine-year run in Major League Baseball as a catcher and first baseman, playing from 1976 through 1984 for the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox.

He hung up his cleats after the 1984 season, spending his last two years with the Red Sox. That wrapped up a career that featured an All-Star nod in 1979 and a .224 batting average with 63 home runs.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Newman took a less-traveled road to the majors. He didn’t make his MLB debut until he was 27, after six long seasons in the minors.

His perseverance paid off, and he became a key piece for the Oakland Athletics in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Folks around the league recognized him as one of the American League’s better defensive catchers.

This look at Newman’s baseball career covers his amateur days at Texas Christian University, his grind through the minor leagues, and his eventual success in the majors.

From his standout 1979 All-Star season to his last days in Boston, Newman’s story really shows the dedication and grit it takes to keep a career going behind the plate in pro baseball.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Jeff Newman’s baseball journey started in Fort Worth, Texas. He honed his athletic skills through high school and college before the Cleveland Indians drafted him in 1970.

He put up some impressive numbers at Texas Christian University, earning All-America honors as a third baseman.

Family Background and Childhood

Jeffrey Lynn Newman was born on September 11, 1948, in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up in the Lone Star State during the 1950s and 1960s, back when baseball really was America’s pastime.

Newman went to Robert L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth. He played both baseball and basketball there, showing early on he had real athletic chops.

That multi-sport background built up his coordination and competitive drive. Those traits would help him later in professional baseball.

In 1970, Newman converted to Judaism through an Orthodox ceremony. That decision became a big part of his identity throughout his baseball career.

He eventually became one of only eight Jewish managers in MLB history through 2018.

High School and College Career

Newman’s college years at Texas Christian University really set the stage for his pro ambitions. He majored in History and got a Bachelor of Science in Education.

His academic drive matched his work ethic on the diamond.

As a sophomore in 1968, Newman hit .350 and picked up several honors. He landed on the All-Southwest Conference First Team and All NCAA All-District First Team.

He also earned NCAA All American Third Team recognition.

Newman’s 1969 Junior Year Stats:

• Batting average: .345
• RBIs: 44 (university record)
• Hits: 57 (university record)
• All-Conference First Team
• All-District First Team

His play at third base in 1968 got him those All-America honors, and pro scouts started to take notice.

Pathway to Professional Baseball

The Cleveland Indians drafted Newman in the 26th round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft. That came right after his standout college career at TCU.

The draft pick was his first step toward the pros.

He didn’t start out as a catcher, which is kind of wild given how his MLB career turned out. Newman played first base, third base, and outfield at first.

That versatility would help him out later as he worked his way through the minors.

The jump from college star to pro prospect forced Newman to adapt. He spent six seasons grinding it out in the Indians’ farm system before he finally broke through.

He eventually made his MLB debut in 1976 with the Oakland Athletics.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Career

Jeff Newman’s road to Major League Baseball ran through six seasons in the minors before the Oakland A’s gave him a real shot.

He debuted at 27, and his career grew from a utility player to Oakland’s main catcher.

MLB Draft and Signing

The Cleveland Indians picked Newman in the 26th round of the 1970 draft. He spent six years working his way up through their farm system, bouncing around various leagues.

At first, Newman played first base, third base, and outfield. He didn’t even start catching until 1972 with the Reno Silver Sox.

That switch behind the plate ended up being a huge turning point for him.

In the minors, Newman batted .259 with 73 home runs and 333 RBIs. His best year was 1970 with the GCL Indians, where he led the league in RBIs with 55 and tied for the home run lead with six.

The Oakland A’s bought Newman’s contract from Cleveland in October 1975. By that time, he’d almost considered quitting baseball after such a long minor league slog.

First Seasons with the Oakland A’s

Newman made his MLB debut on June 30, 1976, at age 27. He joined an A’s team trying to rebuild after their dominant years.

During his first season, Newman backed up Gene Tenace behind the plate. He didn’t play a ton, but he got a taste of the big leagues and started learning the ropes.

In 1977, he backed up Manny Sanguillén and started to show what he could do as a defensive catcher. He threw out 51.8% of would-be base-stealers, ranking third-best among AL catchers that year.

The A’s used Newman in a platoon system with Jim Essian from 1978 through 1980. He also backed up Dave Revering at first base, proving again that he could handle multiple roles.

Development as a Catcher

Newman’s defensive work behind the plate really stood out. His arm ranked among the best in the American League for most of his career.

The 1979 season was his breakout year. He hit .229 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs when AL manager Bob Lemon picked him as Oakland’s only rep for the All-Star Game.

Newman finished 1979 with career highs of 22 home runs and 71 RBIs. He also cut down 46.8% of base-stealers, fourth-best among AL catchers.

His defense stayed sharp in 1981, when he threw out 46.4% of base-stealers, ranking fifth in the league.

The A’s won the first half of the strike-shortened season with a 37-23 record, finally making it back to the postseason after a long drought.

Prime Years and Career Highlights

Newman’s best years came with the Oakland Athletics, where he cemented himself as a solid catcher and got some attention for his power hitting.

His 1979 season was the high point, earning him All-Star recognition and making him a key player for the A’s.

All-Star Appearance

Newman made his only All-Star team in 1979, during his best season in the majors. That year, he played 143 games for Oakland, showing the kind of durability teams love in a catcher.

His All-Star campaign included some strong offensive numbers. Newman hit 22 home runs and collected 71 RBIs, both career highs that showed he had some pop from the catcher position.

He earned the selection after locking down the job as Oakland’s main catcher. At 30, he was no longer just a part-timer—he had become a regular.

Notable Performances and Records

That 1979 season really stands out. His 22 home runs made up almost 35% of his career total of 63, which kind of tells you how much he peaked that year.

Over his nine-year career, Newman put up a .224 batting average with 233 RBIs in 735 games. The batting average was nothing special, but for a catcher back then, his power numbers were solid.

He didn’t reach the majors until 27, so his late-career surge was all the more impressive.

Leadership on and off the Field

Newman brought a steady presence behind the plate for the A’s during his prime. As catcher, he worked closely with pitchers and handled game situations, which showed off his baseball smarts.

After he retired in 1984, Newman moved into coaching. He worked with teams like Oakland, Cleveland, and Seattle, sticking around the game he knew so well.

Teams respected his experience—especially his knowledge of catching and managing games.

Tenure with Multiple MLB Teams

Newman spent nine seasons in the majors with two main teams, and a major trade took him from the American League West to the American League East.

His journey included some memorable moments with the A’s and a tough transition to the Boston Red Sox.

Time with the Boston Red Sox

Newman landed with the Boston Red Sox during the 1982 offseason in a blockbuster trade. Boston picked up Newman and outfielder Tony Armas from Oakland in exchange for Carney Lansford, Garry Hancock, and minor-leaguer Jerry King.

Boston’s front office expected big things from Newman. The Red Sox planned for him to back up catcher Rich Gedman, counting on his defensive skills and knowledge of hitters around the league.

Newman had shown he could hit at Fenway Park during his Oakland days, launching four home runs in just 37 at-bats there. That suggested he might fit in well with the ballpark’s quirks.

But things didn’t go smoothly for Newman in Boston. He dropped to third on the depth chart behind Gedman and Gary Allenson.

After barely playing for two seasons, the Red Sox let him go during spring training in 1985. That move pretty much ended his playing days at 35.

Brief Stints with Other Teams

Newman’s MLB career mostly revolved around just two organizations. Unlike a lot of guys who bounce all over the league, he found stability with the Oakland A’s for most of his run.

The A’s bought his contract from the Indians in October 1975, giving him his shot at the majors.

He made his MLB debut in June 1976 under manager Chuck Tanner. Newman picked up his first big-league hit on July 1 against Kansas City’s Mark Littell, knocking a two-run single in the ninth to help the A’s win 5-2.

One of his most memorable games came against the Yankees, when he threw out three would-be base stealers. That kind of defensive display summed up the skills that made him a reliable backstop.

Transfers and Trades

The biggest moment in Jeff Newman’s career came during the 1982 offseason, when the Boston Red Sox traded for him. This deal really shook things up for both teams and showed just how much Newman brought to the table as a veteran catcher.

Newman’s journey to the major leagues started when the Cleveland Indians picked him in the 26th round of the 1970 MLB Draft. He spent six years grinding through Cleveland’s minor league system until the Oakland A’s spotted his potential.

Oakland made the move to acquire Newman, and it worked out well for everyone involved. The A’s picked up a solid defensive catcher who quickly became their main guy behind the plate. Newman finally got his shot in the majors.

When Boston traded for him, that basically signaled the last chapter of his playing days. The Red Sox wanted Newman’s experience in the clubhouse, but with less time on the field, he ended up retiring from pro baseball not long after.

Final Seasons and Retirement in 1984

In his last years in the big leagues, Jeff Newman saw his numbers dip and his playing time shrink. He wrapped up his career after the 1984 season, following a trade to Boston and some tough times at the plate.

Circumstances Leading to Retirement

Newman’s final seasons really showed the typical decline that catches up with most aging catchers. By 1982, he struggled to hit .200, and his batting average had dropped far from his All-Star peak.

The Oakland Athletics sent Newman and Tony Armas to the Boston Red Sox for the 1983 season. That trade changed everything for him, shifting him from a regular starter to mostly a bench role.

At 34, Newman joined Boston and played mainly as a backup catcher and sometimes at first base.

His stats in 1984 didn’t improve much. After nine seasons in the majors, Newman decided to hang up his cleats at the end of that year.

Comparison with Contemporaries

Newman’s career timeline ran alongside other catchers who faced similar struggles. By the mid-1980s, a lot of players from the late ’70s were losing their spots to younger guys.

He finished with a career batting average of .224, which was about average for catchers back then. Catching just didn’t lend itself to big offensive numbers compared to other spots on the field.

When Newman made the All-Star team in 1979, he really stood out among catchers. That year, he hit 22 home runs and drove in 71 runs, easily the best numbers of his career.

Nine years behind the plate is nothing to sneeze at for a catcher from that era. The position is rough, and plenty of guys didn’t last as long as he did.

Transition from Player to Retirement

Newman wrapped up his career in 1984, closing out a run that began in 1976 with the Oakland A’s. He played his last games in a Red Sox uniform at age 35.

He didn’t waste any time moving into coaching roles. Newman took on coaching jobs with Oakland, Cleveland, and Seattle.

His experience at catcher and first base gave him a lot to offer as a coach. Newman always seemed to have a good sense for the strategy side of baseball, which probably made him a natural fit for teaching others.

The 1984 season wasn’t just the end of his playing days, but also capped a career of 735 games, 63 home runs, and 233 RBIs with both Oakland and Boston.

Legacy, Collectibles, and Post-Baseball Life

Jeff Newman made his mark on the game with steady play for the Oakland A’s and later as a coach. His baseball cards from the late ’70s and early ’80s still pop up for collectors, and after he retired, he landed coaching gigs with several major league teams.

Impact on Baseball and the Oakland A’s

Newman became a key piece for the Oakland A’s in the late ’70s. In 1979, he played 143 games and put up 22 home runs with 71 RBIs.

That breakout year earned him a spot in the 1979 All-Star Game. He was the A’s main catcher during those years.

He gave Oakland some much-needed stability behind the plate from 1976 to 1982. Newman didn’t debut in the majors until he was 27, which makes his run even more impressive.

During his best years, the A’s counted on him as a regular in their lineup. His steady play helped the team through a rebuilding stretch in the late ’70s.

Newman also converted to Judaism, which made him part of baseball’s Jewish community. That added another layer to his baseball legacy.

Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

Collectors still look for Newman’s cards from his playing days. His 1984 Donruss card (#249) is one of his last as an active player.

Cards from his All-Star 1979 season are especially popular. Topps, Donruss, and other brands featured Newman throughout his career.

His 1976 rookie cards have a special place with Oakland A’s fans. Those cards mark his debut season with the team.

Newman’s memorabilia includes pieces from his All-Star Game appearance. Signed baseballs and old photos sometimes show up at auctions and card shows.

Sites like The Baseball Cube track Newman’s card values. His cards usually sell for modest prices, which kind of matches his steady but not superstar reputation.

Life After Baseball and Other Pursuits

After he retired following the 1984 season, Newman jumped into coaching. He took on coaching jobs with Oakland, Cleveland, and Seattle.

He actually worked with the same Oakland organization where he’d spent most of his playing days. Clearly, the A’s trusted his baseball smarts and experience.

At one point, Newman even stepped in as interim manager for the Oakland Athletics. That really put his leadership skills and deep understanding of the game on display.

Over the years, he coached for several teams. Newman worked closely with catchers and other players, passing along what he’d learned in the majors.

A lot of players end up coaching after they hang up their cleats. Newman’s nine-year playing career gave him a solid base of knowledge for his time as a coach.